It is starting to calm down in the huge inland body of water I've found myself on tonight. The bit of wind we have is still fetching a swell in this open anchorage, but as long as we're holding we're fine and hardly feel it. Jake would prefer to sleep on deck and I have to cope with his protests almost every night to staying in the cabin, but its just too dangerous for him to be on deck by himself while I am sleeping. What if.. no, we won't take the chance. It's a beautiful night. I can see stars and there is 1/2 of a moon out. We should have a full moon for the crossing in about a week or so. I saw my first manatees in New Smirna today. What wonderful gentile creatures. The best way to describe them is a cross between a cow and a mermaid. So big, so slow, so harmless and defenseless. There are signs up everywhere for the last 200 miles reminding people not to go fast since the manatees are evidently all around these waters. The ones I saw were sadly bearing severe scars from probable encounters with boats.